Hard day's work

Researcher Blair Witherington wipes the sweat off his face after a rescue. "We've seen the oil covering the turtles so thick they could barely move, could hardly lift their heads," he said.

Researcher Blair Witherington wipes the sweat off his face after a rescue. "We've seen the oil covering the turtles so thick they could barely move, could hardly lift their heads," he said. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Researcher Blair Witherington wipes the sweat off his face after a rescue. "We've seen the oil covering the turtles so thick they could barely move, could hardly lift their heads," he said.